We are available 24 hours a day throughout the Bay Area. Call (415) 921-3636
We are available 24 hours a day throughout the Bay Area. Call (415) 921-3636
Thinking and talking about end-of-life plans and decisions can be very uncomfortable and difficult. You don’t have to navigate this process alone. At Sinai Memorial, we’ll support you in making a plan for your or a loved one’s passing at no cost and any time.
Advance planning is the process of recording your wishes for funeral and Jewish end-of-life services before they are needed. It allows you to make decisions at your own pace and helps ensure that, when the time comes, your family or chosen family is supported and your values are honored. At Sinai Memorial, advance planning is a three‑step process.
We’ll work with you at your own pace to:
Our team can assist you with writing your loved one’s obituary. Our templates are flexible guides to help families and communities honor the deceased with dignity.
Making funeral arrangements ahead of time can bring peace of mind to you and your family or chosen family. You can meet with Cara Walden, Sinai Memorial’s Advance Planning Counselor, over the phone, Zoom, or in our office to go through our three-step process: Gather Your Information, Review End-of-Life Service Options, and Make Payment Decisions.
Anyone, at any age, and any time. People choose advance planning at many stages in life—after a major life milestone, while caring for loved ones, and when sick or nearing end-of-life.
Jews of all denominations, traditions, and means can utilize our Advanced Planning services. We do not require proof of anyone’s Jewish status, and we work with a Jewish person’s family members even if they are not Jewish themselves. We also do not require you to purchase burial property at any of Sinai Memorial’s locations in order to meet with our Advanced Planning counselor. Since Sinai Memorial works with any cemetery in the Bay Area and around the world, we can make any arrangements you may need. We are here to provide guidance on your funeral arrangements and Jewish ritual support, wherever the burial ultimately takes place.
You can choose to document your plan without paying in advance. You’re also welcome to pay in advance or create a payment plan with us.
We complete a Preneed Insurance Policy, a legally binding document that ensures your advanced plan is carried out exactly as discussed.
Educational Resources
Prepayment for funeral services at Sinai Memorial is handled through National Guardian Life Insurance Company (NGL). By law, Sinai cannot hold prepaid funds directly, so your payment is used to purchase an insurance policy in your name. This ensures your funds are secure, allows you to lock in today’s prices, but for very simple services the savings are often modest. The biggest benefit of advance planning—paid or unpaid—is clarity: your wishes are known, and your family or chosen family avoids making decisions during a stressful time.
Advance funeral planning is regulated by the California Department of Consumer Affairs, Cemetery and Funeral Bureau and the California Department of Insurance, ensuring your rights and funds are protected.
If you choose a multi-year payment plan through National Guardian Life Insurance Company (NGL) and pass away before completing all payments, the full cost of your selected funeral services is still covered. Because the plan is structured as an insurance policy, NGL pays the full benefit at the time of need, ensuring your arrangements are honored without placing any additional financial burden on your loved ones.
Advance plans can be updated as your life, relationships, or preferences change.
If prepaid services are no longer needed or plans change, such as your moving, your refund depends on the details of your arrangements. In some cases, prepaid funds may be transferable, partially refundable, or applied differently. We review these possibilities during advance planning so there are no surprises.
We’ll record those preferences in your advance plan. Both organ and body donation are arranged through the state, a medical school, or accredited donation program, not through Sinai Memorial.
For Organ Donation: Be sure to also inform your family and physician, and register as an organ donor through California’s Organ Donor Registry.
For Body Donation: Contact a medical school or accredited donation program. Because acceptance is not guaranteed at the time of death, it’s important to have a backup plan in place. Sinai Memorial can help coordinate advance arrangements and provide guidance if the donation cannot proceed, ensuring your loved ones are supported and next steps are clear.
